Renny Merritt, 1953-2019 It is with great sadness that I share the news of the passing of Renny Merritt, beloved husband of Janet Taft and father to their four boys. I first met Renny and Janet at a fundraiser that our mutual friend, Kristin Canty, held for Documenting Hope in Boston. I remember being struck by what a vivacious duo they were–smiling, finishing each other’s sentences, and both the type who really spoke from the heart. I also recall them offering up their college age son to help us haul boxes up and down the elevator as we set up…

WINDSOR CT, October 16, 2018 – Enrollment is now open for the first-of-its kind study of the environmental and lifestyle factors that affect children’s health. The Child Health Inventory for Resilience and Prevention study (CHIRP™) will create a comprehensive, total health portrait of the children enrolled. The goal is to capture a 360-degree view of the many influences on children’s health. Data collected in this study will inform future research projects with the goal of preventing childhood illness and optimizing the health of future generations of children. The study, part of the Documenting Hope Project, is sponsored by Epidemic Answers….

When your child gets diagnosed with a chronic health condition like asthma, ADHD, allergies, autoimmune disease or autism, you will often be asked if someone in your family also has the disease. This is because since the mid-20th century the dominant lens through which we look at health and wellness is genetics. People assume that whether you are sick or healthy is due in large part to good or bad genes. Times are changing. Did you know that the scientific community is beginning to coalesce around the idea that chronic health conditions may be due in large part to external…

Our team has been documenting stories of children whose lives and health have been transformed by nutritional, lifestyle and personalized interventions. You can read about some of these stories here. Or you can watch the video of our friend Abe’s transformation below:   In a few weeks, you will be hearing from us about a new study that YOU can participate in to help us get a better understanding of how children get sick and how we can achieve genuine health transformation for each and every child. Stay tuned for some exciting updates. Stay Inspired, The Documenting Hope Team p.s….

By Dr. Madiha Saeed With sugar all around us, part of our everyday life and celebrations, it is really hard to avoid it. It’s important to remember that sugar is 8 times more addictive than cocaine. As a mother of four children under 8, I understand how easy it is to cave in to your children’s demands for sugar. With all you have going on in your life, it may feel like the least of your worries, and maybe the easiest way to calm your children when you just can’t handle any more chaos . . . we have all…

By Madiha Saeed, MD We are under attack! Take cover! Our lives are being hijacked! From what you say? Sugar! Think about the ways that sugar creeps into every corner of our lives: From frosted breakfast cereal to lollipop rewards at the doctor’s office. And then the parties, holidays and celebrations! The cake, candy, cookies, ice cream and the list goes on and on. Sugar is everywhere. Eating sugar creates more cravings, so feeding kids sugar increases their desire to eat more sugar. Did you know that sugar is eight times more addictive than cocaine?! (And we thought they just…

by Madiha Saeed, MD Isn’t it funny how one word can cause a whole room of children, and sometimes adults, to burst into laughter? That word, (OK, I’m going to say it, so hold on tight!)…POOP! Have you gathered yourself? Now seriously, poop is huge. What your poop looks like is an important clue to determine what is going on in our bodies. My five year old has learned to monitor his poop to better understand how his body is responding to the environment, particularly what he eats. What is going on in our bellies, particularly what is living in…

Please Join Us For: A musical variety show and art exhibit to benefit Documenting Hope WHEN: Sunday, October 9, 2016, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM (CDT) WHERE: Wentz Concert Hall 171 East Chicago Avenue, Naperville, IL 60540 Please join us for this Fine Arts Fundraiser at North Central College. Proceeds benefit the Documenting Hope Project which is focused on the recovery of kids from chronic illnesses like allergies, asthma, ADHD, autism and autoimmune conditions. Doors open at 2 pm. Come early to visit with our artists/authors and to grab your seat. Help us spread the word by sharing with family,…

By Madiha Saeed, MD While your child may pretend he’s a superhero, did you know that he is actually a super-organism? That’s right—human beings are super-organisms, made up of a complex blend of genetic traits from human and microbial cells that control and influence our world. Our 10 trillion human cells are outnumbered by 100 trillion microbes—that’s about 3.5 to 4.5 pounds of microbes in our digestive system alone! Can you imagine? Could these tiny stowaways be controlling our genes? Influencing our moods? Determining whether we are sick or healthy?[1] A child’s DNA isn’t her destiny. Instead, her environment, especially…

An interview with Amie Valpone, of the Healthy Apple by, Dr. Madiha Saeed Who knew your kitchen could be your pharmacy? Inspirational Chef, Blogger and Author Amie Valpone did. In fact, she took her passion for food to the next level when doctors told her they couldn’t treat her serious illness. She was so determined to heal that she underwent a full diet and lifestyle make-over. Now, Amie shares her healing wisdom in her recently released book, Eating Clean: The 21-Day Plan to Detox, Fight Inflammation and Reset Your Body. The idea behind culinary medicine is rather simple. Exhaustion, sinus…